Why the Enneagram
I often hear from clients how “spot on” the Enneagram is in revealing their self-sabotaging patterns and how “game-changing” it is for uncovering the root of conflicts with colleagues and partners.
In contrast to other assessments that look at behavior, the Enneagram examines motivation–why you think, feel and act the way you do. There are 9 Enneagram Types. Your Type is not a box you are stuck in, but rather as a starting point. A place to begin understanding your emotional and mental patterns - to see the paths you travel frequently–to consider what’s working, what’s resulting in deeper connection, peace, and creativity–what’s blocking you. Working with the Enneagram then provides a map (quite literally) for growing beyond limitations, for self-leadership, and for understanding and building healthy relationships.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Most assessments say, “Here are your strengths! Yay!” but neglect to mention the fine print: when strengths go into overdrive, they can become liabilities. You might find yourself careening toward burnout or unintentionally straining relationships. The Enneagram takes a different approach. It helps you nurture your strengths in a balanced and intentional way, while also shining a light on blindspots and overcoming unseen barriers to your goals. Most importantly, it cultivates authenticity and connection—both at work and at home.
For one of my clients, an Enneagram 2, this meant learning to trust her intuition and inner knowing. She was a deeply empathetic leader, but her tendency to help everyone left her stretched thin. Through our work, she discovered how to balance her natural compassion with decisive action. By letting go of the need to solve every problem for every person, she not only delivered better on her organization’s mission but also freed up precious time and energy to truly enjoy her work—and her life.
The Enneagram is especially valuable when emotions and stakes are high. It helps you restore balance, gain clarity, and take courageous action while staying deeply connected to both yourself and your team. I worked with a bold and decisive Enneagram 8 leader who thrived in high-stakes situations but often struggled with team dynamics. Their intensity sometimes left colleagues feeling overshadowed or unheard. Through the Enneagram, they realized their drive to protect and take charge came from a deep desire to see everyone succeed. By cultivating self-awareness, they learned to dial back their intensity and create more space for collaboration. This shift restored trust and balance in the team while empowering them to act courageously with the full buy-in of their colleagues.
The Enneagram also offers profound insight into your team members’ strengths, how they respond under stress, and what makes them feel valued and purposeful. These insights can transform performance conversations into opportunities for growth and connection. One manager I worked with had an Enneagram 7 on her team who brought incredible energy and creativity to brainstorming sessions but struggled with the follow-through required during long execution phases. Under stress, this team member often shifted focus to new, exciting ideas, unintentionally leaving others to carry unfinished work. The manager, through the lens of the Enneagram, recognized that this behavior stemmed from the 7’s need to avoid feeling trapped or bored. By acknowledging their contributions and involving them in energizing aspects of projects—like ideation or client engagement—the manager also introduced clear accountability structures to keep tasks on track. This approach made the 7 feel more purposeful and valued while creating a better balance across the team, ensuring projects started and finished with equal enthusiasm.
TEAM DEVELOPMENT
Integrating Enneagram insights into team dynamics not only enhances effectiveness but also nurtures stronger relationships and sense of belonging across the group. You can dig into your team’s core values, strengths, gaps, and blindspots to uncover the hidden forces at play. One leadership team discovered that their struggle with innovation was rooted in an unspoken discomfort with tension. In a group where everyone valued harmony and avoided conflict, they hesitated to “rock the boat,” even when it was stifling progress. By recognizing this dynamic, they introduced intentional practices and rituals that helped them surface disagreement in a constructive way. This simple yet powerful shift deepened trust and fostered a growth-oriented culture—one that embraced individual contributions while strengthening the team’s interdependence.
The Enneagram also helps leaders spot gaps in team composition and challenges that may be holding the team back. One manager noticed that no one on her team was naturally inclined to question assumptions or challenge the status quo. This gap, once identified, led her to recruit someone with a more critical, analytical perspective. The result? A more balanced and effective team—one that felt seen and valued and was empowered to approach problems with a diversity of thought.
Working with the Enneagram builds emotional intelligence and equips your team with the tools to foster psychological safety, inclusivity, and trust. By weaving Enneagram insights into the fabric of your team’s development, you’ll create a culture that not only embraces diversity, equity, and belonging but also delivers exceptional results.
A note on my approach: My work with the Enneagram deeply considers our cultural identities, life experiences, and socialization. Recognizing that our formative experiences of seeking safety, belonging, and security vary greatly based on factors such as family, religion, race, class, and gender, I tailor my approach to honor and integrate these diverse identities.
I offer Individual and Team Enneagram Reports. Connect with me to learn more.